Rooms & Areas

Kitchen

Kitchen

The kitchen forms the heart of the home and this design places the kitchen as a flexible open space adjacent to living/dining and bedroom as well as creating opportunities to link to external spaces.

The kitchen is designed to be convenient and safe to use by the occupants, to accommodate the appliances and equipment that users are likely to need and to have adequate and accessible storage for food and utensils.

The size and layout of the kitchen should be spacious, Accessible and well designed to allow a wheelchair user unrestricted access and use. This can be further emphasized by using rise and fall worktops and wall units of suitable design for easy and safe use of the kitchen to suit individual changing needs for a fully age friendly design.

The Kitchen will be Connected via Digital inclusion incorporating the latest in smart home systems including Blackwood’s very own CleverCogs platform. Refer to the Digital Connectivity section for more information.


For further reading about the Kitchen, please use the Design Principles / Design & Layout tabs on the top image.

Design Principles

  • Affordable, flexible and adaptable kitchen units & worktops to cater for standing and sitting users to help the user be as self sufficient as possible
  • Simple and contemporary layout
  • Contrasting colours and surfaces to provide direction and function as signals
  • A strong view / connection to outdoors
  • Underfloor heating
  • Beautiful and simple finishes & material choices
  • Good lighting throughout with optional plinth lighting to help identify edges for safety and comfort
  • Full splash back tiling to contrast against kitchen units. Splashback to run down to skirting board level behind rise and fall units
  • Integrated / recessed cabinet handles with catch assist latch providing adequate storage
  • Simple L-Shaped or Island feature Kitchen layout
  • Pull out worktop/shelf below oven to extend main operating workspace
  • Integrated oven with slide and hide door for easy access to oven while cooking
  • Digitally and manually controlled rise and fall units for sink, hob and food preparation areas as well as high level cupboards
  • Ceramic hob to maximise ease of pot and pan transfer
  • Shallow sink with drainer
  • Quick and clear electronic assistance with Blackwoods Clevercogs software via a tablet providing automated and wireless control of blinds, doors and lighting
  • Integrated kitchen appliances – dishwasher, washing machine & fridge.
  • Avoid stacking of appliances to ensure wheelchair users can reach.
  • Floor finish to be slip resistant
  • Solid work surface that is heat and scratch resistant
  • Touch sensor taps
  • Optional additional moveable storage unit on casters for low level storage
  • Workspace for microwave oven

Design & Layout

Typical Layout for Wheelchair Users
Housing for Varying Needs Guidance

Layout for Blackwood Home

  • Work triangle (Workstations comprise of, 1. The washing up area, 2. The food preparation area, 3. The cooking area.), From sink to hob to fridge)
  • 1500mm diameter turning circle or 1400mm x 1700mm elliptical activity space required in front of each work station and appliance
  • Minimum size approx.. 3300 x 3600mm to reflect current good practice
  • Kitchen worktop heights at 900mm, rise and fall units to provide adjustable worktop space on and around hob and sink. Rise and Fall heights between 630 and 900mm
  • Automated high level storage cabinets positioned above rise and fall worktops to allow wheelchair users unrestricted access. Wall units no more than 300mm deep with each unit/door no more than 400mm wide to prevent obstruction. Automated wall units set at a height of 400mm above the worktop falling to 50mm above worktop height
  • The depth of the sink bowl should be 150-175mm to be convenient for use and also shallow enough not to interfere with knee space below it.
  • Pocket Door Clearance minimum size 840mm
  • Bottom of oven to be positioned in line with worktop for easy transfer of goods.